Chapter 74 Talks

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Harry entered the Headmaster's office and found it exactly as same as he remembered it to be. When McGonagall took over this chamber became more of what you would expect of a classic office would be for a headmaster or headmistress in her case. It certainly lacked the whimsical touch of Albus Dumbledore.

Now he is once again standing in Dumbledore's office with all of his various toys and nicknacks lying around the room. Harry couldn't help but look around in wonder just like the time he first entered this office.

Dumbledore is sitting behind his desk and smiles seeing Harry wonderstruck seeing all of this.

After looking around for a few moments Harry got over his nostalgia and made his way to Headmaster and he sat on one of the empty chairs in front of the headmaster's desk.

Dumbledore is just sitting in silence in front of him with a small smile on his face. So it's a waiting game Harry thinks before smiling. No problem Headmaster I have got quite good at those he thinks to himself.

While they just sit there for a few moments someone in the room lost his patience, but it is not one of two wizards in the room but a phoenix instead. Fawkes gives a loud cry before flying to Harry and landing on his arm. The phoenix's curiosity got the better of him and he came to watch Harry more closely, Harry gently stroked the phoenix on his arm, not at all bothered by Fawkes.

Seeing that this is going nowhere Harry finally spoke "Professor McGonagall said you wanted to talk with me Headmaster"

A smile formed on Dumbledore's face as he no doubt thinks he won this round. While most of the magical world thinks of Dumbledore as the greatest wizard alive who is wise beyond measure, while all of this is true at least to some extent but only very few people like Harry know how childish and sometimes even a little bit petty Dumbledore can be.

"Yes, I do think we have a lot to talk about, especially after your incredible performance during that night. That was quite a duel we had, to be honest, I am still a little be shaken after seeing your mastery over fire" Dumbledore says easily as if he is having just another causal chat with one of his students.

Harry goes completely silent while cursing himself on the inside. This is what he gets for underestimating Dumbledore, he should have known that the old wizard would somehow figure out it was him under the cloak of darkness.

Harry should have just flashed away before Dumbledore even came inside the chamber, but instead, he chose to duel with Albus my beard is longer than Merlin's beard Dumbledore.

Harry sighed "How did you know?"

Dumbledore chuckled "I didn't, it was just a guess but you just so helpfully provided me with the confirmation."

Harry felt his face twitch, the old bastard just bluffed him, he literally fell for the oldest trick in the book.

When dealing with Dumbledore Harry was expecting something from the obscure, arcane and esoteric depths of magic. Like some spell or ritual that is long forgotten by the world which somehow revealed his identity to the headmaster using on using the tiniest bit of his magic left behind by the spells he casted that night. Not just a simple ruse. Harry can't help but feel a little disappointed.

"So how did you figure it out? I mean a wizard duels you to a standstill and then escapes from right under your nose. I am sure your first response was not to see if he is one of the students" Harry inquired.

Dumbledore nodded "You concealed yourself perfectly Harry. I searched for days but couldn't even find a single hint or even a trace. It was like you just disappeared into the thin air"

"Then I just realised something. There are only so many ways that can get a person out of this castle. And since all the wards are working perfectly that only leaves the one. You know since your very first day Fawkes mentioned that you always have the scent of a phoenix just lingering on your person" Dumbledore continued.

Harry helplessly ran his hands through his hair. Great! He only got caught because Hedwig just had to mark her territory.

Harry sighed "So now you know Headmaster, what happens now?"

"You tell me, Harry. I was hoping to train you so you can fulfil the prophecy but I can see that there is no need for that. You are more than capable enough on your own, but I do have some questions" Dumbledore answered.

Harry smirked "what happens if I don't answer?"

Dumbledore sighed "that's up to you Harry but I want to assure you that I am only here to help you. Regardless of the prophecy, it is still my responsibility to stop the Dark Lord"

Harry's eyes started to glow as the entire office started to tremble under the pressure of his magic. "My answer is the same Dumbledore, your war is over" Harry answers with barely contained rage "You had plenty of opportunities to stop Tom Riddle but you didn't and our world is still paying the price"

Dumbledore rose to the occasion his magic flaring against Harry's, it's a good thing that everything in this room is magically enchanted or nothing would have remained with the will of these two monstrous wizards clashing against each other.

"You might be right about that Harry. But you must have realised that Tom is not going to stop until he gets what he wants. He is in a weakened state for now but that won't last for long. We should be working together instead of pointlessly fighting amongst ourselves"